Being that today is my mother's birthday, I think it is only fitting that I share some of the important lessons that she taught me as a child. These lessons are some I think EVERY adult should learn and use. And apparently, there are FAR too many out there that either haven't learned these lessons or have let age erase them from their mind. So here are some of the many lessons I learned and still use today.

1. Don't touch that!

When my mom would take my sisters and me out, one of the first things she would say when we were preparing to get out of the car was "When we get inside, don't touch anything." So we were not the kids leaving our grubby little finger prints on store windows, knocking down shoe displays, picking up any and everything that came in our path.

As an adult, I think it's VITALLY important to remember that if you don't know how to work something, don't use something, or it's not yours --- DON'T TOUCH IT!!! What is it about shiny buttons that just make people want to press them... then I gotta come behind them and figure out their mess.....

Pause...I'm rambling on some personal issues.

2. Leave the room like you found it.

This was important. It basically taught us to put things back. Straighten up a room when when left it. Don't just abandon stuff everywhere. There were no maids in my house and my parents only did so much picking up after us. Especially if it is a shared space. Who wants to come behind someone and have to pick up someone else's mess? I mean really. This should be a no brainer. If I'm focused enough I can use and leave a room without anyone even knowing I had been there. Great skill to have and utilize.

3. Sit still.

I think ever person has been told to be still at some point in there young life by their parents. As a children we were taken almost everywhere. We had to learn to behave in church, at my parents public functions, doctors offices, everywhere we were taken. So there was no excessive playing, and no loud interruptions. What that taught us was how to behave in different situations when they may or may not be about or for us. There will be times you have to be places you just simply don't want to be. Sometimes it's best to just sit still and wait until it's over. Trust me, it gets harder as an adult because -- well, you're grown and don't necessarily have to be anywhere you don't want to be. But, it's still a good lesson to remember. Plus my mom would always say if you pay attention, even if this even it's 'for' you, you may learn something. We all know that sometimes the greatest messages are delivered to us when we take the time to just 'be still'.

4. Don't let people see how to get to you.

I'll admit it. I was a very overly sensitive child. I would cry at the drop of a hat at almost any and everything. A true cry baby. After a while, my mom told me "As long as people know how they can get to you, they'll keep getting to you. They just want a reaction. If you don't give it to them, they'll stop." When she told me this it was like a switch went off in my head. It made perfect sense. And the crying stopped. (I eventually lashed out in other ways, but that's neither here nor there.)

Basically some people will do things or say things just to push your buttons. See how far they can push you. Or like they say 'get a rise' out of you. Some people (old and young) are just bullies. Once they see that they can't intimidate you, bother you, upset you, throw you off your game, they'll back off. Because they're not getting the attention and reaction they wanted. I live this lesson almost to a fault every day.

5. You have to care about something!

This was probably in a frustrated reaction to lesson 4. But she's right. In life you have to care about something. This care/passion is what moves you forward. It should excite you, encourage you to do better. If you don't care about anything, then what is your purpose? Where are you going? What are you trying to do and why? I am still searching for my true passion. Something I care so much about I can't sleep at night. Who knows, I may have found it, but am not still enough to recognize it.

So, Happy Birthday, to the woman who gave me life and her face. You are truly loved and appreciated.

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I'm just a woman living in this world trying to make it. In general, what I say here is just my opinion. Maybe I've expressed something you haven't been able to put into words yourself. Maybe I've opened your mind to a new thought or idea. Maybe you've been through similar experiences as I have and can relate to my issues, struggles and irritations. True understanding cannot begin until we start talking. I just want to give us something good to talk about.